Amsterdam - more than fun

Amsterdam - more than fun

While walking alongside numerous canals in Amsterdam, feeling the unmistakable smell of weed pervading the streets, watching throngs of loud, cheerful tourists march through the red-light district and other districts on the "have fun" list, one may not immediately notice how beautiful and peculiar this city is. 

 

Whether you just want to get immersed into popular neighborhoods like Jordaan or De Pijp enjoying the atmosphere of endless cafes and admiring the distinct architecture of narrow houses whose façades resemble chocolate bars, or explore the Dutch masters in one of the museums, Amsterdam will not leave you disappointed. 

 

 

If you're staying there over a few days, here's what you can do:

It's a city of bikes, rent one and enjoy a crazy ride around town. This is a place where cyclist reign the traffic and it's better to forget about any other kind of transport. However, if you need to go a bit further out, you can rely on the Amsterdam Metro.

For anyone who likes drinking endless coffees or drinking one over an infinite amount of time, again this is the place to be. Sitting on one of the lively terraces, you'll be caught by surprise realizing that it's near 11 p.m. and it's still quite bright outside. Yes, the day in Amsterdam lasts that long. 

Once the night comes the streets get more buzz from tourists who roam The Red Light District looking at beautiful girls in window parlours. Packs of men and groups of women, couples, hen and stag parties are all headed to this part of town. 

The other part of the night can be spent in one of many clubs. Most of those in the center, however, will offer you a typical tourist fun, being either fancy or playing commercial music. For some serious clubbing, you may want to check Sugar Factory, Bitterzoet or OT30. Or just find something that caters best for your taste; there is plenty to choose from. 

If you wake up to a Saturday morning and it's sunny the next day, make sure you head out to the former NDSM Amsterdam ship wharf. Any other context would make it sound as if you were in for a gloomy morning, but be prepared to have a lot of fun. There is a free ferry that will take you to this wharf after 10 minutes of sunny ride (and your bike if you want to take it along as many do). When you have arrived there, the place to go is Pllek, a cafe and a restaurant with a great outside terrace, situated along the waterfront. Pllek in Dutch means "place or spot" and it indeed is. In summer, or on a warm spring day like this one, it becomes an Amsterdam city beach. It's full of people who enjoy the indoor and outdoor offer or just lie on the beach with a drink or two. 

 

As my friend who lives in Amsterdam said, "the industrial is the new black here", you will notice that Pllek is made up of old ship containers combined with lots of glass. So the feeling is definitely that of an oasis in the midst of a harsh industrial scenery. 

And last but not the least is the food you can munch on in Amsterdam. Be prepared for greasy but tasty snacks and meals. Everywhere you'll come across fries, or thick Dutch fries patatje. Make sure you try them with mayo, onions and maybe curry ketchup. For more greasy food, especially if you've been drinking, take a bite or a few of bitterballen or deep fried crispy meatballs served with mustard for dipping. On a sweeter note, try a stroopwafel. If you're up for some healthy and traditional food, try raw herring or broodje haring served with pickles and onions. 

 

 

 Also try some traditional soups, which are quite thick. And in the morning, if you don't feel like experimenting but want a hearty meal, you will always find plenty of places that serve English breakfast. 

 

  My favourite beer? Hoegaarden :)

  (All photos are copyright @ meninaidris for connected)

 

café

café